PoS Scriptures Part 3

I have been meaning to post this for two weeks, when I first did it, so for those of you who are new or don't remember, I am re-doing my Personal Progress!
This scripture is found in Abraham 3: 24-27

"24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

 25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

 26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

 27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first."

 Let's strat at verse 24 shall we;

24: My understanding is that this verse is highlighting that this took place before the world was, so in otherwords, before Earth was created. And when it says "where these may dwell" the word 'these' is refering to our pre-earth spirits.

25: "And we wil prove them herewith" is saying that we (mortals/spirits) are to be tested, to receive trials and adversity as well as rewards and blessings to test us. To see is we will obey the commandments or if we will put more stock in our own understanding. I've heard it described as a school before, Earth is where we learn and grow to aim for Exhaltation and school is where we learn and grow to get a job/diploma etc.

26: "And those who keep thier first estate shall be added upon" Now I take this to mean that those spirits that chose to continue to follow Heavenly Father and Christ will receive a body of flesh and bones (Mortality/Earth). 

"And those who keep not thier first estate shall not have glory" So those spirits that chose Lucifer's plan (No agency, or ability to make decisions for ourselves) won't receive thier bodies and will remain in a spiritual form and can not progress further.

"And those who keep thier second estate shall have glory added upon thier heads for ever and ever" I like the sound of forever goodness! But this means that those of us who have received our bodies and have come to Earth (Second estate), if we keep it (be obedient, keep the commandments, develop our learning and understanding of the Gospel etc) we can receieve glory forever. The Glory I believe it is talking about is after Judgement with the degrees of Glory being; Celestial, Terestrial and Telestial. This is where we can live forever after we pass away and received judgment from God (receive our score for our school exam, to continue with the school analogy from before). We are aiming for Exhaltation wihich is found in the highest part of the Celestial Kingdom. But to reach any other these kingdoms we must have a body.

27: Heavenly Father created the Plan of Salvation and part of the Plan was for a Savior to essentially take the punishment for our sins to allow us to be clean enough to dwell with God. Heavenly Father asked who to give this great responsibilty and choice to and there was Christ's reply; Immediate, full of love and understanding, completely unselfish. He wanted no recognition or glory for what he would do, he just wanted us all to return to Our Father. 

The second reply was Satan's; He was after the Glory, he was after a "sure" way that it would happen, he didn't want us to choose how to live our lives here on Earth, but to take control and regardless of our decisions to be made to return to God. I also thought it was interesting that he replied second after Christ, it reminded me of a jealous child wanting attention from thier parents.

Christ was chosen. 

As I was pondering this scripture it occured to me how great a love Jesus has for me, as an individual and also how I made the decision to be here, I thought of Moses 1:39, and how it discusses the potential outcomes for us as well, being immortality (received by everyone who has a physical body) and Eternal Life (Exhaltation).

How this scripture affects my actions:

Obviously I made the decision in the Pre-Existence to come to Earth, to have my free-agency and to be tested for Exhaltation, so if I was able to make that decision then, knowing full well that there would be horrible and difficult times for me, as well as wonderful and exciting times, then I can develop my decision making skills to continue to make wise decisions here in this life. Knowing this gives me a sense of strength in tougher moral decisions and also more determination to choose righteously. Also thinking before I speak is a good idea...

How this scriptures increases my understanding of my identity:

I know that I do have the strength to be able to deal with trials, I mean I'm not perfect and things have happened to me, whether by a consequence of a decision I've made or by indirect/uncontrollable means, things have happened. And often it feels like you can't cope or you don't have the will, ability or strength of character to handle it, but Heavenly Father planned everything down to the last detail, with myself and my life included. He knows what I can handle and what I can't and he knew all of this before I came to Earth, otherwise he would not have planned for a Savior for the world, or not chosen so carefully who he would send. Heavenly Father takes the time to listen to my prayers and respond to them, my little infrequent prayers and I know this from this scripture becasue this scripture clarified for me some questions I had been asking for a while. He guided my mind to choose this scripture out of the list and he helped uncloud my mind when I was reading them to see and feel the words I needed. He knows me as me and that gives me a sound knowledge that I am his daughter.

How this scripture has strengthened my faith:

For His Plan to be so intricate and inspired it is definately something that a mere man could not have construed. For it to feel so right and blissful when I read, learn, discuss and ponder it, it has to be divine. This increases my faith as well as my previous paragraph on him knowing me as an individual, that too is a strong motivator and testament in my growing faith in Him and his scriptures and His Plan.

What do you think?

I'm Still Here

I've got a few things I want to post up here, I've done more on my Personal Progress, and more about my Primary class, there's also more on our lessons with the missionaries and a few other bits and pieces. I've just been focusing so much of my time and energy on my new business that time has escaped me with everything else!!! But I will be back soon! Promise!

Not all Peaches and Cream

This is something I feel is pretty important to know...
Not everything goes 100 smooth when re-activating/investigation/continuing in the church. The Church itself is perfect but people aren't...People make mistakes! It's part of being here, on Earth, to learn!
 The reason I have decided to bring this up is because of my darling husband, my brother and my FSIL. As I've posted before, My FSIL is investigating the church and my brother and husband have also decided to come back and prepare to receive the next Priesthood.
Part of that process involves meeting with our Bishop. None of us know our Bishop very well but me and my brother had his brother as one of our leaders when we were younger and his brother is good friends with our Mum and Dad.
So when we went in to meet with Bishop I don't think everybody was fully prepared for what was going to happen.
Chris and I went in together, being married and all, and we had our discussion, it started all ok, but then things didn't go as C had expected. He had expected a "you are forgiven, you can receive the Priesthood now." response. Which is not what we got. What we did get was "Ok, you've done the right thing by telling me, now we need to establish your spiritual habits to continue this process." Only the way it was delivered was alot harsher, I guess, and abrupt. The way it was delivered really upset my husband and he shutdown. I could feel his anger and I could feel everyword Bishop was saying deflect off C like it was nothing. I was so scared that C was just going to give it all up and revert to his comfortable ways. I also knew he wasn't truly sorry. (Which he confirmed when I asked him later.)
Me on the other hand, I was balling my eyes out uncontrollably. I was sorry, I am sorry, and I've been so scared of the day I would admit my transgression that I've been avoiding it like the plague. And I thought what was asked of either of us was extremely light to what I had expected. I don't agree with how it was realyed to both C and I but I do agree with the message and what it is that he was trying to tell us.
1. Pray together as a family (Family being me and C)
2. Read and study the scriptures together
3. Focus our attention on each other, helping and serving each other.
To me these things all seem pretty basic in the Gospel and I was fine with it.
But then things went a step further and he told C (didn't ask C) that he was going to get a "mentor" and that he would start Home Teaching. I straight away knew who I wanted as a "mentor" for C... TODD! (BTW, This discussion with Bishop happened a fortnight ago, so Todd talking to me happened yesterday...) But C was not comfortable with Home Teaching and he didn't understand why he needed a "mentor" when he had the missionaries.
Now having prayed hard for understanding on this I do not fault our Bishop, he is just a man doing his best.
C does not respond well to being "told" what to do. You don't "tell" C you "ask" C. Or you ease him into it, in his time. He has made many changes to accomodate the Gospel in the past 3 months to be told he was going to start Home-Teaching is mighty scary and imposing on him. He suffers from anxiety and does not do overly well in new situations, especially with new people. And when it was said in our discussion with Bishop taht C was to start Home-Teaching, I didn't feel quite right. But I'm putting that down to my protectiveness over my Husband. But the reality is that "whether by my own voice or the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C1:37-38ish I think...) So If Bishop has asked it of us, The Lord has asked it of us. So I think my next challenge is going to be explaining that to C, I will definately need the Missionaries help on that one... Anyway, bottom line is C came out of Bishop's office angry, frustrated, confused, annoyed and bitter. ALL the things I didn't want him to be.
After we came out, my brother and FSIL went in.
That night we all met at my Mum and Dad's place (Mum and Dad were at the hospital) with teh Missionaries. They were interested to know how everything went because they were excited about teh progress of everyone in our little group. And I felt so sorry for them when they got the answers.
My FSIL was heart-broken. She had been told that she couldn't get baptized untill they were married or if Leon slept in a different room. (Note: Due to medical reason he sleeps in teh same room as her, he is her carer and she NEEDS someone there at all times and her family live interstate.) This depressed her more than made her angry as she knew the Gospel was true. She had had an experience that very Sacrament Meeting that spoke so clearly to her that it was true, and she felt cut down so quickly afterwards, I felt horrible for her too. She was so sure about that she didn't want to waste anymore time, she wanted to be baptized.
My brother was Angry, much like C because he was also told that he could not receive the Priesthood [as yet]. ANd also because of what was said to his Fiance'
And then C shared his emotions with the Missionaries too.
Both my Brother and C said that they didn't see the point or know if it was worth it if this is what was going to happen. C actually said that he didn't see the point and was prepared to give up.
I sat there listening to it all, knowing that this was a make or break moment in 3 people's lives. And I prayed. I prayed hard for them all to soften thier hearts and I prayed hard that the Missionaries would know what to say. I felt so bad for teh Missionaries and when they responded, the empathsized, they explained, they understood... I felt so proud of them. They did the best they could and I know Heavenly Father helped them that night.
I said my piece that night aswell which was "Bishop is a man like us and he's not perfect. Communication may not be his strong point. I don't agree with how we were told but I do agree with what he's asked us to do."

Since that night I have talked to Bishop once, I was supposed to meet with him this past Sunday, as was C, but C was sick and I am caught up in Primary, so hopefully this week coming.
I know C is trying to avoid him and is considering going to our Stake President, as is my Brother and FSIL.

I guess what I'm trying to get across with this post, is that, no matter who you are, where you go or what you do, there will always be personality clashes, people you don't like, or can't get along with etc... The real test is if you let them beat you, or if you become the bigger person. When things get tough, running away doesn't solve it, and if anything is really worth it, it won't be a walk in the park. Where is the growth and development if it's all just handed to us on a silver platter? If it gets tough... push through... the silver lining will be visible on the other side.

You Never Know...

You never know who is reading what on the great big interweb...
I had an experience this sunday about it, which really caught me off guard 'cause I thought only my two sister's were reading this blog...

When I was younger, pre-marriage days, I was dating this guy who lived in a group house, one of the other guys who lived in the house, we'll call him Todd, well I came to really respect him and I'd like to say we were friends. Well, these days were both married, he has some adorable children and his wife is amazing. Anyways, Todd came up to me on Sunday and told me that his wife had shown him one of my posts. And how it had made him feel bad. And how he wanted to do more for C from now on.
I really had no idea what to say or do or anythign because I was in shocked!
I had never, ever, ever wanted to make anyone feel bad in themselves or for other people from my blog, especially this one, and I also couldn't for the life of me think of what I had written that would have had that affect on him, and I also had no idea anyone knew about this blog!
I seriously have a great deal of respect for Todd and for him to say these things to me was head spinning.
So when I got home I looked up my little blog and tried to find the post he read. I think it was this one.

But what I want Todd to understand is that he has helped our family... He came to C's 21st Birthday party and he also gave my Dad a blessing the night of his accident. Those 2 things alone have had a massive positive impact on our family. And it's little things like that, that don't seem big to other people, that make the most difference. And just him coming up to me on Sunday and talking to me about it just overwhelmed me with love. It just touched me that people out there do care about C, they really do.
You see, C has spent nearly his whole life in the same ward and has never really ventured beyond it untill we got together, so many people know his family, but not him.

But if Todd does want to hang out with C, I will definately not say no, I think he would be a huge positive influence on C, and they are alot more simmillar than they realize... Oh and C needs fishing tips, he's never caught one.

Primary Week 2 - Improvement!

As I told you last week, this week's lesson was on Missionary Work!
I did end up making little misisoanry badges, with the help of my future SIL, and I heard they were a BIG hit!
One little boy who tried not to come to class ending up walking out of class with his chest puffed out, saw his Dad and starting to point proudly at his chest wheer his badge was... Gorgeous!
I also got thier folder's ready and each child has a different colour. There was one name on the roll who hadn't been in a while and I thought about leaving hers till next pay, but knowing my luck if I did that she would show up! So I didn't, and guess what... She showed up yesterday! So hopefully having her own folder and badge all printed ready for her made her feel more welcome.
I also found it interesting yesterday that my niece was so quiet. She is usually pretty talkative, except around new people, but she has been in this class now for 6 months, I'm the only new person and well, I'm not new to her... It was so strange, so I'm not sure what to do there.
But as for thier focus... Having teh folders and the hand outs ready for them to look at as we moved through the lesson really helped. When I told them the scripture stories I half acted them out as I walked around the room (I also put thier chairs around a table so they couldn't move around... HAH!). When teh lamanites pulled out thier swords I'd pretend to pull one out too... the kids had thier eyes glued to me, it was fantastic!
We did colouring in and letters for the missioanries and I told teh kids that after Primary had finished they could take thier pictures and go find the Missionaries to give it to them... Wow did they love that. They all came up to me when Primary was over jumping excitedly for thier picture/letter, one boy got so excited he ran off with the others before he even got his picture to give to them. It was really awesome to see them so excited about giving.
I prayed alot this past week for help with my class, to be able to teach them and for them to understand/listen. I truly feel my prayers were answered... It is a scary age-group to teach nad I'm still not fully confident, but they are a funny age-group too.
This coming week we are expanding on Missionaries so we'll see what we can come up with!